State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Utah > Title-36 > Chapter-12 > 36-12-1336-12-13. Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst established -- Powers, functions, andduties -- Qualifications.
(1) There is established an Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst as a permanent staffoffice for the Legislature.
(2) The powers, functions, and duties of the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst underthe supervision of the fiscal analyst are:
(a) to analyze in detail the executive budget before the convening of each legislativesession and make recommendations to the Legislature on each item or program appearing in theexecutive budget;
(b) to prepare cost estimates on all proposed bills that anticipate state governmentexpenditures;
(c) to prepare cost estimates on all proposed bills that anticipate expenditures by county,municipal, local district, or special service district governments;
(d) to prepare cost estimates on all proposed bills that anticipate direct expenditures byany Utah resident, and the cost to the overall impacted Utah resident population;
(e) to prepare a review and analysis of revenue estimates for existing and proposedrevenue acts;
(f) to report instances in which the administration may be failing to carry out theexpressed intent of the Legislature;
(g) to direct attention to each new proposed service contained in the governor's budget;
(h) to direct attention to each budget item previously denied by the Legislature;
(i) to propose and analyze statutory changes for more effective operational economies ormore effective administration;
(j) to prepare, after each session of the Legislature, a summary showing the effect of thefinal legislative program on the financial condition of the state;
(k) to conduct organizational and management improvement studies;
(l) to prepare and deliver upon request of any interim committee or the LegislativeManagement Committee, reports on the finances of the state and on anticipated or proposedrequests for appropriations;
(m) to recommend areas for research studies by the executive department or the interimcommittees;
(n) to assist in prescribing the format for the presentation of the governor's budget tofacilitate program and in-depth review of state expenditures in accordance with Sections63J-1-701 and 63J-1-702;
(o) to recommend to the appropriations subcommittees the agencies or programs forwhich an in-depth budget review should be requested, and to recommend to the LegislativeManagement Committee the priority in which the request should be made;
(p) to appoint and develop a professional staff within budget limitations; and
(q) to prepare and submit the annual budget request for the office.
(3) (a) In accordance with Subsection (3)(b) and subject to Subsection (3)(c), the Officeof Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall submit an annual report to the Executive AppropriationsCommittee of the Legislature, at the committee's November meeting, on funds expended by thestate during the preceding state fiscal year to provide financial assistance or services tolow-income individuals and families.
(b) The report described in Subsection (3)(a) shall:
(i) separate the funds expended into categories by program, service, or population served;
(ii) indicate whether the expended funds described in Subsection (3)(a) are state orfederal funds; and
(iii) include a total of all state funds and federal funds expended by the state in thepreceding fiscal year to provide financial assistance or services to low-income individuals andfamilies.
(c) If the Executive Appropriations Committee of the Legislature does not meet inNovember, the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall submit the report described inSubsection (3)(a) at the committee's next meeting.
(4) The legislative fiscal analyst shall have a master's degree in public administration,political science, economics, accounting, or the equivalent in academic or practical experience.
(5) In carrying out the duties provided for in this section, the legislative fiscal analystmay obtain access to all records, documents, and reports necessary to the scope of the legislativefiscal analyst's duties according to the procedures contained in Title 36, Chapter 14, LegislativeSubpoena Powers.
Amended by Chapter 183, 2009 General Session
